Examining the Freedom of Being in God's Presence with Kristel Acevedo

Why is it so hard to make space to hear God’s comforting, loving voice in a world filled with daily pressures and burdens? How do we release ourselves from a spirituality based on “doing” the right things and instead focus on being in God’s presence? It is as we grow to love God’s voice which can fill us with his good gifts of encouragement, reassurance, peace, and hope that we can withstand and resist the cultural pressures around us.

In this episode, host Jay Y. Kim is joined by Kristel Acevedo, spiritual formation director at Transformation Church in South Carolina and co-author of the teen devotional 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future. Through thoughtful conversation with Kim, Acevedo encourages us to invite God into our often overly-hurried days, embrace all of life as an act of worship, and make time to simply “be” with Jesus.

Drawing from her experience as a youth leader, Acevedo comments on the unique strengths and challenges of teens today and extols Gen Z’s pursuit of sincerity and communal health, traits that can be a model for Christians of all ages.

Listen in to learn how to pause, notice, and surrender to God’s active work in our lives, experience the easy burden Jesus promises, and grow into being full participants in his missional call.

Download a reflective guide to The Examen.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• Spiritual formation in teenagers amid a culture of distractions
• Living a lifestyle of worship and obedience to scripture
• The impact of cultural and political idolatry on spiritual formation

Links from this episode:

• Get to know more about Kristel Acevedo
• Read 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future by Kara Powell, Kristel Acevedo and Brad M Griffin 
• Read the transcript here

The world is full of noise. Many are exhausted by the cacophony and chaos of the modern, digital age, where peace is scarce and self-reflection is infrequent. In “The Digital Examen”, a new podcast from IVP, author and pastor Jay Y. Kim converses with a variety of leaders, pastors, and scholars who are working to reorient their lives in the direction of listening, tuning their hearts and minds to hear the voice of God in all of its clarity, kindness, and strength.

Learn more about The Digital Examen

Learn more about your host, Jay Y. Kim

Read Analog Church and Analog Christian by Jay Y. Kim

Links and Credits

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Helen Lee, Travis Albritton, and Andrew Bronson

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Allie Noble

✅ Production Assistants: Christine Pelliccio and Isis Toldson

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "For They Will Inherit the Earth" by Stephen Keech

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

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